Felix Gao and Rachel Sung Upset Seeding, Good Heads on Young Shoulders
Courtesy of ITTF
May 13, 2014 – Both from the United States, Felix Gao and Rachel Sung were the players to cause the most significant upsets in the respective Cadet Boys’ Singles and Cadet Girls’ Singles events at the Butterfly 2015 Canadian Junior and Cadet Open in Markham on Wednesday May 13th.
Neither player with a current World ranking, each beat highly seeded opposition in the group stage of proceedings, before progressing to reserve a quarterfinal place.
Gao Felix, 15 years old, made the best possible start to his campaign by beating compatriot, Nikhil Kumar, the no.4 seed, in a close full distance five games encounter (6-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6, 12-10).
Responded to Crisis
Victory by the very narrowest of margins, Felix Gao secured first place in the group at Canadian expense. He accounted for Jeremy Tran (12-14, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7) and in second tense five games duel, he recovered from a two games to nil deficit to defeat Vincent Sieu (7-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9).
A place in the main draw secured Felix Gao continued his good form and underlined his ability to respond when crisis loomed; not required to play in the opening round, he recorded his third full distance victory of the day by overcoming Canada’s Alexander Bu to reserve his place in the last eight, (11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-6).
End of Road
Alas for Nikhil Kumar, there was to be no quarterfinal place; he beat Vincent Sieu (11-6, 11-4, 11-9) and Jeremy Tran (12-14, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7) but in the main draw experienced a second round defeat at the hands of colleague, Victor Liu, the no.3 seed (11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-5).
Top Three Progress
No quarterfinal place for the fourth seed; that was not to be the situation for the top three names; in addition to Victor Liu, Canada’s Jeremy Hazin and Sharon Alguetti of the United States, the respective top two seeds, both secured first positions in their group and enjoyed second round success.
Jeremy Hazin beat Steven Gong of the United States (11-6, 10-12, 11-2, 11-3); while Sharon Alguetti overcame Jonathan Li, likewise from the United States (11-7, 11-8, 11-5).
Similar Scenario
Success against the fourth seed for Felix Gao; it was the same in the first stage of the Cadet Girls’ Singles event for Rachel Sung.
However, there was a notable difference, there were no five game dramas; in fact not one game surrendered!
The ten year old beat Hungary’s Anita Drabant, the no.4 seed (11-9, 11-9, 11-9) and Canada Wu Jin (11-6, 11-1, 11-4), before receiving a walk-over against Laura Lai, like Wu Jin from the United States.
Good Head
A place in the opening round secured, Rachel Sung overcame Canada’s Marika Labrie (11-7, 11-4, 11-5) to reserve a quarterfinal berth.
“My head was good today”, said Rachel Sung. “I felt I should win, I was confident before today’s matches.”
Anita Drabant Reaches Last Eight
Progress to the last eight for Rachel Sung; it was the same for Anita Drabant.
She beat Laura Lai (13-11, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4) and Wu Jin (11-7, 10-12, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4) to complete her group stage contests, before overcoming Canada’s Joyce Xu in the opening round (11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4).
Safe Journey
Meanwhile, for the top three seeds in the Cadet Girls’ Singles, all from the United States, it was first place in the group and the opening round safely negotiated.
Amy Wang, the top seed, beat Canada’s Naomi Tran to book her last eight place (11-6, 11-7, 11-8); while Grace Yang, the no.2 seed, accounted Sophie Gauthier, also from Canada (11-5, 11-6, 11-4). Not to be outdone, Ishana Deb, the no.3 seed, ended the hopes of Hungary’s Kitti Kereszteski (11-7, 11-3, 11-7).
Titles Decided
Play in both the Cadet Boys’ Singles and Cadet Girls’ Singles events conclude on Friday May 14th.
